Read this, if you are considering taking a class from me
If you are a potential student, here are some things you should know:
On the positive side:
1) If you are scared of a subject, but are willing to work hard, take my class.
2) If you want to understand the intuitions behind the subject, helping you truly master the subject, take the class from me.
3) If you want to be challenged and pushed to grow intellectually, take my class.
4) If you will take charge of your own learning, seeing me as a resource rather than the person primarily responsible for your learning, take the class from me.
I have seen a great deal of life and am willing to talk to students about anything that impacts their lives. I will always listen if you have the courage to talk to me. If you like a natural mix of insight, challenge and sympathy, then consider taking my class.
On the cautionary side of things:
1) If you think you should be fed the information to minimize your effort in taking a class, don't take any class from me.
2) If your primary goal is a good grade, don't take the class from me.
3) If you don't like to read before class or reserve generous time for study, don't take a class from me.
I will be fair, helpful, and will give you very valuable insights into whatever the class is about, but you are expected to take serious responsibility for learning and understanding the material. If you are counting on an easy A (based on previous classes), absolutely don't take the class from me. My first three years at WSU were an experimental period in which I got to know the students here in a way that was designed to not penalize them, and at times I gave better grades than would have been obtained if I had already understood the student population. That time is over.